Harry Cobden’s Planet Sport Bet blog: Pic D’Orhy feels better now than he did going into Ascot

Things are obviously a bit quieter for us with Paul [Nicholls] giving the horses their flu jabs, so I’m trying to pick up as many spare rides as I can while he’s got fewer runners.

It’s never nice to see your fellow jockeys out injured like Sean [Bowen] currently is, but it does give me a chance to close the gap. 
 
My agent is working night and day to keep me as busy as possible and I’m doing all I can to win the title.

To be Champion Jockey is something every jockey wants to be in their career, and it would be very special to win it. There’s a long way to go and I’m still hopeful I can win it.

 

 

12:00 (Kempton) Kalif Du Berlais

I have a good book of rides on Saturday at Kempton starting with Kalif Du Berlais who we really like at home and has schooled very nicely.

He wouldn’t be your typical juvenile – he’s a big, rangy, scopey type of horse. I think chasing is ultimately his aim in the future.

He wouldn’t be streetwise enough for a race like the Triumph Hurdle I don’t think as he’s more of horse for next season. It’s a shame he’s won a hurdle race because he’d be one you would love to save for Novice.

12:55 (Kempton) Brendas Asking

Next up is Brendas Asking. She finished fifth, in what looked a respectable run at Cheltenham last time.

She wouldn’t be a horse I know a great deal about, so I must do my homework for Saturday. She seems a nice horse on first impressions, though.

 

13:30 (Kempton) Chianti Classico

Chianti Classico is a horse that I’ve followed round a fair few times in the past, so it’s a nice spare ride to pick up.

I’m hoping for a good run, it’s a competitive race and he is carrying 11-10, but he is a classy enough individual and should be more than able to carry it.

14:07 (Kempton) Pic D'Orhy

It’s a very competitive Silviniaco Conti Chase. Pic D’Orhy has been very fresh, I’ve ridden him lot in the past week, but he’s schooled well and feels better now than he did going into his Ascot run.

It certainly won’t be slow ground, I think it will be on the good side, so everything is in his favour.

He’s one of my best chances of the day, and a horse I can’t wait to get back on.

 

14:42 (Kempton) Sonigino

I’m also looking forward to getting back on Sonigino in the Lanzarote. He’s been fantastic this season and very consistent and I think he put up a career best win at Aintree last time out.

Obviously, he has a tough task to defy the weight, but he’s carrying it for a reason.

I’m not sure how much he has in hand with the handicapper, but we’ll give it a good go in these big handicaps for the rest of the year before he goes chasing.

15:15 (Kempton) Cap Du Mathan

Then I have another horse I like a lot in the handicap chase, Cap Du Mathan. Obviously, he was disappointing last time, but the ground was too quick for him, and they went very fast from the start.

He’s dropped in the weights and has been in good form at home, so hopefully can run a nice race.

15:50 (Kempton) Rare Edition

Finally, the horse I consider my best chance for a winner on Saturday, Rare Edition.

Despite there being only six runners, it’s a competitive little handicap hurdle, but I think he’s the best horse in the race.

He’s rated 136, so is obviously carrying 12-0 but if he puts his best foot forward, he will be tough to beat.